What’s a Ground Loop? Eliminating Buzz and Hum from Your Amp

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More videos like this guide to eliminating ground-loop hum 👉 • Guitar Lessons
Are you tired of trying to figure out why your amp or speakers are buzzing when you get your meticulously crafted rig or pedalboard set up and ready to rock? We’ve all been there, and this all-too-common problem can be the result of numerous factors, ranging from power sources and cables to connectors, voltage regulation, and much more. And what is this annoying phenomenon, anyway? Ground loops. Mitch Gallagher’s got the info you need to reliably and consistently eliminate the humming and buzzing that results from ground loops. Check it out!
After you watch, check out Sweetwater.com today for all your music instrument and pro audio needs! 👉 sweetwater.sjv...
#Sweetwater #Morley #HumExterminator #GroundLoop #MitchGallagher

[@sweetwater]

What other issues do you encounter in your recording or performance rigs? Let us know what you’d like to see us solve next, and be sure to stop by Sweetwater to grab one of Morley’s Hum Exterminators for yourself! 👉 sweetwater.sjv.io/Morley-Hum-Exterminator

[@pepejul]

One question I never saw a definitive answer to is: is it okay to leave your equipment powered on or should you turn it off after each session? Also, is it okay to leave everything on and power on/off with a master switch?

[@sweetwater]

@@pepejul Hey there! I always try and turn my gear off after each session. If nothing else, it keeps my studio room from getting too warm when I’m not using it 😁 As for a master switch, that’s certainly okay to use! I would recommend using one of Furman’s power conditioners. I really like their staged option, so you can control the order in which your interface and monitors turn on. I hope this helps! Nick Pasquino, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 3230, [e-mail]

[@ripperthecrooks6428]

As soon as I play my guitar on high gain amp sim settings, I get electrical screeching noise passin through. So when I use noise gates it gets rid of it but if I play anything that awful sound is mixed into it always. its always there , How do I get rid of it ? please !

[@UncleDon226]

I got a new amp to run my computer speakers, and have been getting this awful buzzing noise through the speakers when there is a lot going on screen. I asked the internet, and saw the phrase "ground loop" mentioned, and this is the first video that came up when I looked into it. I have apparently checked so many of the boxes that would cause ground loop, it would be a miracle if I DIDNT get it. Thanks for the information on what it is and how to fix it. Short, and to the point. Excellent.

[@Clapped-Out]

Thank you I just solved my annoying humming problem with my studio monitors. With a pair of those cheap ground eliminator adaptors. Worked perfectly, thanks again.

[@DetroitMicroSound]

I have several USB powered machines that have various ground loop issues. I just use a ground loop isolator (GLI) on each noisy machines audio out. You can get them cheap online, if you don't mind using some 3.5mm plugged cabling, here and there. Honestly, somebody needs to make some 6.35mm versions. They work perfectly, and simplify the process of removing ground loops from a rig.

[@scamculture]

I have a 6.5mm, it comes in a box form

[@munk_ken]

i appreciate you saying this since I've been encountering ground loop issues for the past year and a half and finally figured out what it was.

[@the80slivehere]

Perfect education, Mitch. I will surely be getting one! Love that Morley is made in the good old USA. 😃. Thanks! - Heather

[@bravorec8071]

Last week I received the preamp I bought, and when I settled everything so I could work, and yes, the buzz coming out my speakers

[@kerzwhile]

Very well described! Nice job! 😉

[@StuPedassol]

This dude always knows his stuff

[@AG_before]

Firstly, thank you for this video. I stumbled across it while figuring out an issue with my vocal recordings. 1. I keep getting harmonics I believe, in Audition's spectral view. I can hear it, especially after I've done some post work on the recordings. 2. Using a decent USB mic connected directly to the PC (desktop) I'm not sure how a ground loop isolator would be implemented in this simple chain, but I'm certainly going to give it a shot. I'm not in the US anymore, so fingers crossed. It's been decades since I was a manager in a Guitar Center's Pro Audio department. I'd forgotten how often Sweetwater came up. Thanks again.Hope this works.

[@sunlightpictures8367]

Very well explained, Mitch.

[@esmoroglu]

So much fun things to learn. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻BTW Lehle makes excellent solutions for this and they are passive like P ISO or P Splitter III.

[@BloodySteelMice]

I have had one of these for years, highly recommend

[@earthsteward9]

Good explanation of a technical issue

[@soulslip]

I have the ART Pro T8 and love it but i still have a loop so I suspect it might be some power supply caps in either my PA or my Tascam M-320b mixer. Or even perhaps in the power supply of my Teac 80-8. Hasn’t been recapped even though it works at probably 95%. There is really old wiring in this house so also might be something there.

[@songpopo898]

I have had this issue so many times

[@sevchyk]

How did you solve it so many times?

[@Asfontanez]

What piece of equipment do you recommend to fix this problem?

[@tonniAbd8004]

Thank you Mitch!

[@poti732]

Let me get this straight. You can create a ground loop if both devices are plugged into one big battery? They do not have connections to each other kudt draw power from the same battery pack.

[@BjornarKnutsen]

Hi. In the video you said if you use a portable battery there wouldn't be a problem. But I just bought a EcoFlow river2 portable battery, but when I connect it to my amplifier, I hear a buzz. A small one with my acoustic amplifier Marshall AS50R. But when I use my electric, Orange Crush 35RT, the buzz is louder. Do you have any suggestions to what I could do to reduce or remove the buzzing sound? Oh and I live in Europe so 230V here, in case that matters. Any help is greatly appreciated! Have a great day!!

[@nomaxnula1]

great video thank you!

[@thatampguy]

The standard here in the us is to bond the neutral cable to earth ground at the house's/building's power panel. Let that sink in.

[@gilbert6101]

Great video!

[@jaredallen3181]

Is it beneficial to have one of these, on every piece of gear I'm using, at one time? ( 4 or more)

[@sweetwater]

Hello, Jared! Great question. Ground loops occur when two or more pieces of gear that are interconnected via audio cables are connected to different power outlets. Ground loops can be prevented by keeping everything plugged into one circuit or outlet. This can be achieved via power conditioners or other power strips. A ground lift unit like the Morley can be used when connecting everything to one outlet isn’t possible. It might get a little expensive using one on every piece of gear. A nice power conditioner would be a more worthy investment in this situation. Thanks for the interest! Cody Kraus, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1766, [e-mail]

[@taxationistheft2.0]

​@sweetwater neither works for me. I have a Furman power conditioner and hum exterminator and my dirt channel on the katana goes feed back bad

[@edwardebel1847]

The Great and Powerful OZ has spoken! Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain! (Just kidding...but you know...there is a resemblance...)

[@edwardebel1847]

To fully eliminate buzz and hum you must bring me the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West. The sound you are hearing is the wings of her flying monkeys! No...really...worked for me...

[@Monte91]

I have a computer as the source (3.5m jack) into a mixer (1/4" jack) and out to a loudspeaker via XLR cable. When music is playing the speaker sounds good but if nothing is playing the speaker will have very loud crackling and static even with the volume very low or turning off or on. It sounds like when you plug in a jack while everything is powered on. Could this be related to a ground loop issue also?

[@sweetwater]

Hi, thanks for your interest! Usually, a ground loop will result in more of a “humming” noise as opposed to the crackling and static you described. I would recommend trying these steps to diagnose and solve the issue: • First, try muting the channel on your mixer that you have your computer connected to. If the noise goes away, that means the problem is related to that channel specifically - possibly the connection between the computer and the mixer. If it doesn’t, the issue could be related to the mixer, the speaker, or the connection between them. • Next, try swapping out your cables for new ones to find out if the issue is being caused by a bad cable. You could also try using a laptop DI box like this one to handle the connection between the computer and the mixer - this will typically be cleaner than a 1/8”-1/4” cable: www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LTIBLOX--rapcohorizon-ltiblox-1-channel-passive-laptop-direct-box If you bought your mixer and/or speaker from Sweetwater, feel free to call in and speak with our support department for further troubleshooting - they’re available at [phone] ext. 6400. You can also reach out to me directly with any further questions. Hope this helps a bit - thanks again! Caleb Lowrey, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1620, [e-mail]

[@maranathahokonya5789]

Hey l m failing to connect to your Link l need a ground loop exterminator

[@ghhdgjjfjjggj]

I understood absolutely nothing from this video...

[@exterC0ffx]

Bought 2 for my stereo rig and ah.......very minimal improvement for $400.0 AU not worth a dime.

[@enriquelopez9803]

When we let go of the guitar strings, a huge hum is created. Is it true that by using a wireless connection that that hum does not exist? Because I saw that someone said that when using wireless connections that you can let go of the guitar strings and there will be no hum, (and it also protects you from any possible electrical shocks). Does anybody know if this is true? (I am not talking about 60 cycle hum or RFI.) Is it true that with using a wireless transmitter that you do not need to ground your guitar strings by touching them?

[@250longmetal2]

yes

[@enriquelopez9803]

Thank you.

[@Indalomusic]

220v please

[@raidensama1511]

FYI the neutral is connected to ground at the breaker panel. So lifting the ground will likely NOT solve your problem.

[@BDPowers414]

Neutral does not "loop" from one piece of equipment to another via the audio interconnect cables.

[@AprilRoxStudios]

Waiting for music gear makers to create wireless, touchscreen, long-lasting, software update-able, great sounding, high quality gear. This is 2023, where’s innovation?!

[@jimbo987]

When you get what you pay for reference the good/cheap/fast biz model still true to this day

[@totallyfrozen]

Interesting comment. What is it you want? A wireless, touchscreen, long lasting, software update able, great sounding, high quality saxophone or guitar? You didn’t specify what kind of gear you’re talking about.

[@josemaldonado2844]

@@totallyfrozenhe doesn’t know what he wants either and if he did the solution wouldn’t meet his expectations or, be too expensive.

[@whothefoxcares]

Q: How are electronics GROUNDED in aircraft, spacecraft, UAPs?

[@SkyhawkSteve]

The short answer is that the chassis may be used as the general ground. However... Isolation methods are often used to prevent ground loops. Also.. the safety ground that is the cause for so many audio problems does not exist in aircraft or spacecraft.

[@pepejul]

If a single breaker feeds a few outlets in a room and all the equipment is connected to those outlets, can it result in a ground loop?

[@theeater1756]

Yes. the ground is not connected through the breaker.

[@audiowitch]

Great advise! Thanks Colonel Sanders!! Just kidding... cheers...!

[@TurboLoveTrain]

90% of all hardware problems: The User 10% of all audio problems: bad ground. The best solution is to bury an engine block in your back yard, water it regularly, and pull all your grounds off your Public utility return and connect them to the buried engine block. You're welcome.

[@artissonbeats3057]

Just use a good expensive power box

[@j_quyatt]

Could use more pictures

[@cakee8181]

great video! you know your stuff!. lose the softcore bedroom bg music. too distracting. cheers

[@huejazz3201]

Bro, i couldn't understand you....

[@domingorexach9642]

No help at all

[@alexlifeson8946]

People still boy guitar amps? 🙄 Sheeesh

[@billyc6678]

Yes!!! Because we actually play gigs. Genius

[@alexlifeson8946]

@@billyc6678 Best sounding shows I've attended had zero amps on stage. Including Rush. So you can F off, Billy Bob

[@fasteddie8782]

So much noise sometimes, especially on my boss loop station, the rc2

[@RemyRAD]

I thought that was an eloquently delivered dissertation. About grounding loop de loops. And other fun, hair ripping stuff. I don't know what's in that little electrical adapter to, alleviate, ground loops? I have an even better method. I've been using for, 33 years now. And it takes care of everything. What is this thing? You go to your, industrial electrical supply store. And you request a, 1 to 1, 120 volt, 20 amp. Power Isolation Transformer. It's little bigger than your fist. You plug it into the electrical wall outlet. And then you plug. All of your audio equipment into that. Up to, 2000 Watts worth of audio gear. As you are now, Totally Electrically Isolated. You are getting power. Without actually being coupled to the incoming power lines. Your wires are not touching any of the AC electrical wires. You are isolated. Disconnected from. While getting power. Electromagnetically! Like Magic! It's, magic. It's called Induction. Not connection. While you are getting power you are not connected. Magic! And then you can use a passive, microphone splitter box. And take separate feeds for each microphone the band has onstage. This is the old-fashioned way of doing that. The way I had been doing it starting over 40 years ago. It's changed a bit since then. Now nobody has to do anything. You just select a preset and Voilà! There's your, Grammy! Now wasn't that easy? I want to become senile at my own pace! RemyRAD

[@jhonfaith3122]

I had to downspeed to 0.75 But very helpful Thanks🫡

[@rharris0820rh]

Dual furman power conditioners. Dead silent.